City of Beresford Cub / Boy Scouts

Baden-Powell, Founder

The following message was found among B-P's papers after his death.

To Boy Scouts:
Dear Scouts,
If you have ever seen the play Peter Pan you will remember how the pirate chief was always making his dying speech because he was afraid that possibly when the time came for him to die he might not have time to get it off his chest. It is much the same with me, and so, although I am not at this moment dying, I shall be doing so one of these days and I want to send you a parting word of good-bye.
Remember, it is the last you will ever hear from me, so think it over.
I have had a most happy life and I want each one of you to have as happy a life too.
I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness doesn't come from being rich, nor merely from being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy, so that you can be useful and so can enjoy life when you are a man.
Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one.
But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. "Be Prepared" in this way, to live happy and to die happy - stick to your Scout promise always - even after you have ceased to be a boy - and God help you to do it.
Your Friend,
Baden-Powell.

History of Scouting

Lord Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell founded the Scouting Movement. He is known in scouting circles as Baden-Powell or B-P.

Baden-Powell was born in London, England in 1857. His Father died when Baden-Powell was very young. B-P's mother had the family surname changed from Powell to Baden-Powell to honor her husband.

Baden-Powell received his education at Charterhouse. After finishing at Charterhouse, he took the military entrance exams. He placed second in the cavalry and forth in the infantry. He was commissioned as a lieutenant and joined the 13^th Hussars in India. He served in India, Afghanistan, Zululand, Ashanti and South Africa in his military career.

Baden-Powell became a war hero during the Boer War (1899-1902). B-P was lieutenant colonel for the 5th Dragoon Guards. Baden-Powell and the men under his command held control of the town of Mafeking during a 265 day seize. Shortly after the end of the seize of Mafeking, Baden-Powell was promoted to major general.

B-P came home to England and found out boys were reading his book, "Aids to Scouting" and forming groups. This dismayed Baden-Powell, because he wrote, "Aids to Scouting" for soldiers. Baden-Powell started working on something more appropriate for boys. In 1907, he tested his ideas on Brownsea Island. In 1908, Baden-Powell was promoted lieutenant general. King Edward VII knighted Baden-Powell in 1909. Shortly after that he retired from the military to work full time on the Scouting Program.

Requirements

Several years ago joining and advancement requirements for Cub Scouting were changed to a grade basis (with age as backup). Age is still used by some packs whose national organization has made that determination As a refresher, here are some age/grade requirements. Keep in mind that grade is the primary determination and age is the backup (note the work "or"):

TIGER CUBS -- In the first grade, (or 7 years old)
CUB SCOUTS (Wolves and Bears) -- In the second and third grade, (or 8 or 9 years old)
WEBELOS SCOUTS -- In the fourth and fifth grade, (or 10 years old)
ARROW OF LIGHT -- Six months since completing the fourth grade, or six months since turning 10.
BOY SCOUTS -- Completed the fifth grade, or age 11, or have earned the Arrow of Light.

The Purpose of Scouting

Cub Scouting has nine purposes: to

Positively influence character development and encourage spiritual growth
Help boys develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship
Encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body
Improve understanding within the family
Strengthen boys' ability to get along with other boys and respect other people
Foster a sense of personal achievement by helping boys develop new interests and skills
Show how to be helpful and do one's best
Provide fun and exciting new things to do
Prepare boys to become Boy Scouts

Volunteer Leadership

Thousands of volunteer leaders, both men and women, are involved in the Cub Scout program. They serve in a variety of positions, as everything from unit leaders to pack committee chairmen, committee members, den leader coaches, and chartered organization representatives.

Like other phases of the Scouting program, Cub Scouting is made available to groups having similar interests and goals, including professional organizations, government bodies, and religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, labor, and citizens' groups. These "sponsors" are called chartered organizations. Each organization appoints one of its members as a chartered organization representative. The organization, through the pack committee, is responsible for providing leadership, the meeting place, and support materials for pack activities.